Stories and Advice on College Admissions | Empowerly Blog

If test-taking isn’t your strong suit, have no fear! Below I have listed five prestigious colleges that do not require you to submit your standardized test scores as well as a comprehensive list of test-optional colleges.

The developments in education in recent years have been phenomenal. Classrooms have gone from lecture halls to spaces that engage all types of learners. Thanks to Neil Fleming’s VARK model of Student Learning, we have now understood that students learn in different ways, so why isn’t their knowledge being assessed in different ways as well.

Students often ask whether GPA or standardized test scores are more important, especially in the case that they have a strong GPA but a lower SAT/ACT or vice versa. Will a low test score ruin my chances of getting into my college of choice?

We’ve all had the experience of being nervous before a test, but sometimes the stress and anxiety can start to interfere with your performance on the test itself. This is called test anxiety (see part one of this post for more information on what test anxiety is and some preliminary ways to overcome it). Luckily, there are plenty of concrete ways to get over test anxiety and help you stay calm during the many important standardized tests you’ll take junior year!

Junior year is full of standardized tests—SATs, ACTs, SAT IIs, APs—but whatever the acronym, even the thought of sitting for hours filling in tiny scantron bubbles with a number two pencil can be enough to make your palms sweat.

Taking the SAT exam can be a self-esteem crushing, nerve-wracking part of the college admissions process. It’s definitely not designed to be a walk in the park, and consists of three math, reading, and writing sections, approximately a four hour interval to complete these sections, and a score posted online that can seem like the end of the world.

For many high school juniors, this time of year is when they will experience the College Board’s official SAT for the very first time. While it may be a bit stressful and nerve-racking to take this first step into your journey of college application, Synocate is here to help guide your way through the process. If you are nervous about an upcoming SAT test, use the following tips to better prepare for it:

I hated the SAT. I still hate it. It doesn't really measure your intelligence, which is made up of so many different qualities. Intelligence isn't just a number--it's about how curious you are, how you progress, your ability to shift perspectives and take on problems.

Empowerly, founded in a Stanford dorm room, takes a holistic approach to college counseling. We combine years of industry experience with the latest data insights to help students at every stage of their journey. From underclassmen still discovering their passions, all the way through selecting which college to attend, we can help students achieve their dreams.